Printing element for multi point recorders

ABSTRACT

A printing mechanism for a multi-point recorder capable of recording as a function of time the magnitude of a number of different measured quantities, such as temperature, pressure, voltage, or the like. The printing mechanism is of the kind comprised of a print carriage having a type wheel or type belt cyclically engaging a chart. In a preferred modification a single type belt is employed which is driven by a drive wheel and has a loop carried on a guide wheel mounted on a print arm. The type belt, or a type wheel, is characterized by a novel arrangement of mark producing means and function identifying characters which prints marks on a recorder chart indicating the values of measured quantities some of which marks are accompanied by function identifying characters so that the records of the different measured quantities are readily distinguished one from another.

Uted States Patent [191 McClenahan PRINTING ELEMENT FOR MULTI-POINTRECORDERS [75] Inventor: Robert W. McClenahan,

Philadelphia, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Leeds & Northrup Company,

Philadelphia, Pa.

[22] Filed: Dec. 27, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 212,247

[52] US. Cl 346/61, 101/368, 197/18,

. Oct. 30, 1973 Primary Examiner-Joseph W. Hartary Attorney-Philemon J.Moore et al [57] ABSTRACT A printing mechanism for a multi-pointrecorder capable of recording as a function of time the magnitude of anumber of different measured quantities, such as temperature, pressure,voltage, or the like. The printing mechanism is of the kind comprised ofa print carriage having a type wheel or type belt cyclically engaging achart. In a preferred modification a single type belt is employed whichis driven by a drive wheel and has a loop carried on a guide wheelmounted on a print arm. The type belt, or a type wheel, is characterizedby a novel arrangement of mark producing means and function identifyingcharacters which prints marks on a recorder chart indicating the valuesof measured quantities some of which marks are accompanied by functionidentifying characters so that the records of the different measuredquantities are readily distinguished one from another.

5, Claims, 9 Drawing Figures new I ll lll lli PATENTEU OCT 30 I975 LEEDSNORTHRUP SPEEDOMHX IIIIIIHIIIHIII 0 IIIIIHIHIIIIII FIG.1

1 PRINTING ELEMENT FOR MULTl-POINT RECORDERS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Applicants invention is for animproved print mechanism for a multi-point recorder of the typegenerally classified in the U.S. Patent Office with Recorders,Plural-Function Recorder, Distinguishable Recordings, Plural Markers andSingle Record Receiver or similar apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior art Strip chart multi-point recordersincluding record distinguishing means of the print wheel type have beenin use in the industry for many years. During the last or so years ithas become increasingly popular for manufactures to provide printingmechanisms for multipoint recorders which will provide records comprisedof dots and an occasional record identifying number beside a dot therebyto identify curves formed by series of dots from different inputdevices. Additionally, the records may also be further identifiedutilizing different colored inks for the various record traces.

German Patent No. 1,011,631 discloses mechanism capable of providingrecords of the type described above. This mechanism employs one or twoprinting devices which revolve about an axis which is disposed at rightangles to the longitudinal axis of the chart meterin g roll. In somemodifications of this apparatus type elements forming dot-like marks ona chart, each indicative of the valve of a measured input, are supportedin a manner to slide in and out along side of type elements forproviding point identifications. ln other modifications disclosed inthis German patent, separate marking wheels are disposed concentricallywith one wheel.

movable along the rotational axis of both wheels. With the wheelsdisplaced along the axis, only dots will be printed. With the wheelsbrought into the same printing plane, a printing motion of theassemblyproduces both a dot and a number.

Another mechanism for obtaining the record format described above isthat disclosed in U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,195,141 and 3,317,913 wherein atipping type wheel is employed. The type wheels disclosed in thesepatents include one or two rows of numbersdisposed about the peripherythereof and a row of dots indicative of the value of the measuredinputs. The print wheel is tipped about an axis disposed at a rightangle with respect to the longitudinal axis of a chart metering roll ina manner such that the wheel prints dots only when tipped at one angleand when periodically tipped to another angle both a dot and a number isprintedthus to produce dots accompanied by an occasionalcurveidentifying number.

U.S. Pat. No 3,409,898 disclosed still another arrangement for obtainingrecords of the type above described. This patent employs a print wheelhaving a row of dot printing types disposed around the periphery thereofand a type element bearing an Arabic number disposed along side of everyother dot printing element, the numbered type elements beingsequentially numbered 1, 2, 3, et'c., for as many points as the recorderis to accommodate. In operation a planetary gear mechanism is employedsuch that the angular position of the type wheel about its axis ofrotation canbe adjusted by a half space or 1% spaces to change from 2printing dots to printing a dot accompanied by a numher.

One of the most recent mechanisms used in multipoint recorders forproducing records comprised of curves formed by series of dotsaccompanied by occasional numbers to identify each curve is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 3,611,412. In this mechanism a pair of side-by-side printbelts is employed. One belt is rythmically operated into printingengagement with the recorder chart to print dots indicating the valuesof measured quantities and the other belt is periodically caused toengage the chart to print occasional curve identifying numbers.

While each of the foregoing mechanisms produce records of the desiredformat, each in turn leaves something to be desired particularly withrespect to use in a small recorder. Initially, such devices were verymassive and heavy as well as being very complex. Inking problems aroseas a result of ink gumming up parts meant to slide relative to eachother so that proper sliding action did not occur. In some modificationsthe type for printing a series of marks such as dots to form curvesindicating the values of the measured quantities and the type forprinting occasional numbers for curve identification did not printequally well due to the fact that the same print motion was applied overdifferent type areas when dots only and dot and number combinations wereprinted. In some of the modifications, particularly when it was desiredto produce a record for as many as 24 different quantities, the typewheels were undesirably large in diameter. The double print-beltmechanism, while desirable for a record having a chart 6 or more incheswide, requires space consuming mechanism which is not available in asmall recorder having a chart width of only 4 inches.

Applicant has found that these prior art problems may be overcome and amulti-point print mechanism applied to a recorder with a 4-inch widechart by providing a single print wheel or flexible type belt havingmark producing means and function identifying characters arranged in apredetermined order thereby to minimize the occurrence of superimposedfunction identifying characters in the printed record.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with applicants invention-thereis provided a printing mechanism for a plural-function recorder. Theprinting mechanism is characterized by a printing element having anumber of mark producing means serially disposed along a continuoussurface such as that of a print wheel or print belt. The number of themark producing means is equal to the number of different functions i.e.measured quantities to be recorded times ,an integral number greaterthan two thus to provide a plurality of groups of mark producing meansequal in number to the integral number and with each group containing atleast one mark producing means for each function. The printing elementadditionally hasat least one set of function identifying characters orsymbols. The number of identifying characters in a set is equal to thenumber of functions to be recorded and each immediately succeedingcharacter of the set is disposed adjacent a corresponding one of themark producing means in a succeeding one of the groups to providefunction identified mark producing means followed along the continuoussurface by a number of, corresponding unidentified mark producing meansof other groups for production of identified records on a chartconsisting of a plurality of unidentified marks between identifiedmarks.

It is an object of my-invention to provide a-printing element, such as atype wheel or type belt, for a plural function recorder. The element hasa number of dot printing means spaced uniformly and serially in a firstrow about the element equal to at least the number of functions to berecorded times an integral number greater than two to provide groups of.dot printing meansarranged for printing a dot on a recorder chart foreach of said functions one after the other and as many dots for eachfunction per revolution of the printing element as there are groups ofdot printing means. The element additionally has record identifyingArabic number printing meansconsisting of a single series of Arabicnumbers having a different number for each function disposed in a secondrow about the printing element parallel to the first row. The firstArabic number of the series is located beside the dot printing means forthe first of the functions in a first group of the groups of dotprinting means. The second Arabic number is located beside the dotprinting means for the second of the functions in a group, which followsthe first group and every subsequent Arabic number in the series, ifany, is located beside its corresponding subsequent dot printing meansin a group following that having the immediately preceding Arabicnumber, by repeated usage of one or more groups if necessary. Hence,when there are fewer Arabic number printing means than there. are groupsthere will be no Arabic number printing means in one or more groups andwhen there are more Arabic number printing means than there are groupsone or more groups will have more than one Arabic number printing meanslocated therein but never will there be number printing means besideevery dotprinting means. The position of the record identifying Arabicnumber printing means in the second row effects a reduction, that is tosay, minimizes the printing of Arabic numbers one on top of another. Itis more specifically an object of my invention to provide a printingelement for-a four function recorder comprising a type orprint' wheelortype or print belt having a continuous surface constituting a closedloop having 24'uniformly spaced dot or other mark printing means andfour different function identifying character printing means seriallydisposed along the continuous surface thereof with afirst, the sixth,eleventh and sixteenth mark printing means each including adjacentthereto a different one of the four functionidentifying characterprinting means, leaving the remaining 20 continuous surface thereof witha first, the fifth, eighth,

twelfth, fifteenth, and twenty-second mark printing means each includingadjacent thereto a different one of sixfunction identifying characterprinting means, leaving the remaining 18 mark printing means not havingfunction identifying character printing means, leaving the remaining 18mark printing means not having function identifying character printingmeans adjacent thereto for printing unidentified marks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For an understanding of applicantsinvention, the following specification and claims should be read whilereferring to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation with many parts omitted showing therelationship of the pertinent parts of a strip chart recorder in whichapplicants invention may be used,

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the relationship of parts of the recorderindicated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale showing details of theprinting assembly of the recorder illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4A is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a type belt illustrativeof applicants invention,

FIG. 4B is a sideele'vation of the type belt of FIG. 4A,

FIG. 5A is a plan view on an enlarged scale of another type beltillustrative of applicants invention,

FIG. 5B is a side elevation of the type belt of FIG. 5A,

FIG. 6 is illustrative of a section of chart of a strip chart recordershowing curves applied using a printing element in accordance withapplicants invention, and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of arrangements of dot and numberprinting means with. the circumference of a print wheel or beltconsidered as a flat strip the ends of which are to-be joined.

. DESCRIPTION PREFERRED' EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 there is illustrated themanner-in which parts of a printing mechanism, in accordance withapplicants invention, will be associated with a recorder of known type.While any one of many commerically available recorders may bemodified ina manner to incorporate a pplicants invention, it will 'be found that arecorder having a printing mechanism of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 3,61 l,4l2E. G. Gibby, which is assigned to applicants assignee,will be found easily modified in a manner to practice myinvention. Inthe various figures of the drawings the same reference numerals will beused throughout with the addition of a prime to some details slightlydifferent in configuration which serve the same functions and with thesame reference numerals increased by one hundred wherea differentmodification is described.- 7

ln FIGS. 1 and 2 there are shown parts of a strip chart recorder 30wherein 31A,31B; 32A,32B indicate the side plates of a suitable framestructure for mounting parts of the recorder in a manner well known tothose skilled in the art, hence the complete frame structure is notseparately shown. The sideplates 31A,32A support a chart metering roll33 and the side plates 31B and 32Bsupport means toguide a print carriage40 for movement back and forth across a chart 37, only a portion ofwhichis indicated. The chart is advanced by the chart metering roll,33in any suitable manner. A guide rod 36 journaled in the side plates3lB,32B of the frame is one portion of the print carriage guide meansand a pinion shaft 35 journaled in the side plates 31B,32B is theotherportion of the guide means. The

pinion shaft 35 also serves as an element in the drive train for theprint mechanism. The print carriage 40 is adapted to be moved back andforth across the chart 37 by a cable 38 which is actuated by a servomechanism in a manner which is customarily employed in strip chartrecorders, hence neither measuring circuit or servo mechanism are shownsince they form no part of the present invention. The print carriage 40is a simplified modication of that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,611,412mentioned above. It includes a pair of side plates 41 and 42 securedtogether in a manner later to be described to support various parts ofthe print mechanism. Also supported from the print carriage side plates41,42 is a pointer structure 43 cooperating with a scale 44. The printcarriage 40 includes a single type belt 45 which as described in theGibby patent may be made of Buna N rubber, black, type A. The mechanismfor supporting and for advancing the type belt and effecting printingwhich are fully described in the Gibby patent will hereinafter bedescribed to the extent required for an understanding of applicantsinvention.

Referring to FIG. 2 it will be noted that the pinion shaft 35, alongwhich the print carriage 40 is slideable, is similar to that shown inthe aforementioned Gibby patent. In the modification illustrated thisshaft is driven by a constant speed motor 50 through a drive traincomprised of a motor pinion 51, a spur gear 52, fixedly mounted on ashaft 55 which is journaled for rotation in side plates 318,328 and aspur gear 53 fixedly mounted to pinion shaft 35 which is likewisejounaled for rotation in side plates 318,328. There is a drivingconnection between the pinion shaft 35 and gears 46,47 mounted on theprint carriage 40 to advance the type belt 45 in timed relation withoperation ofa multipoint switch 60 which is driven by gear 61 which inturn is driven by gear 54 fixedly mounted on the shaft 55 with gear 52.Such a switch which connects one condition sensing device after anotherto a measuring system is well known to those skilled in the art and isindicated in some of the referenced patents. In order to simplify thedisclosure it is believed needless to describe such switching mechanismand measuring system in this application since again these are wellknown to those skilled in the art.

While applicant's invention may be emboided in a print wheel actuated bymechanism known to those skilled in the art, it is deemed preferable byapplicant to utilize a type belt as the printing element of hisinvention. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the print carriage 40 and themanner in'which it is supported on the pinion shaft 35 and'the shaft'36relative tothe'chart 37.

The side plates 41,42 of FIG. 2 correspond in function to the sideplates 4L,4R of the Gibby patent. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a bushing71 and a bearing block 72 are secured between the side plates 41,42 andserve together with the side plates to form a rigid frame assembly forthe print carriage 40. The internal diameter of the bushing 71 is aslide fit along the pinion shaft 35 and the bearing block 72 has a notch72A with a rounded portion which is a slide fit on the shaft 36. Asmentioned above, with the pinion shaft 35 and the shaft 36 serving asguide means the print carriage 40 may be moved back and forth across thechart 37.

A hub 48 is mounted for rotation around the bushing 71. This hubsupports the spur gear 47 and a type belt driving sprocket 49 which arerigidly attached thereto so as to rotate therewith. An idler shaft 468is journaled in the side plates 41,42. Rigidly secured to the idlershaft is the spur gear 46, a triangular cam 46C and a pinion gear 46A.The spur gear 46 meshes with the pinion shaft 35 and the pinion gear 46Ameshes with the spur gear 47 so its hub 48 and the attached sprocket 649 are rotated in timed relation with operation of the switch 60 andmovement of the type belt 45 to bring printing elements one after theother to a printing position in synchronism with the switchingoperations of the switch 60.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a print arm 74 is mounted for rotation about thesame axis of rotation as bushing 71. It supports a pivot shaft 74A atits free end. An idler sprocket 75 is mounted for rotation about thepivot shaft 74A The print or type belt 45 is looped around the beltdriving sprocket 49 and the idler sprocket 75 and is advanced in thedirection of the arrow in synchronism with operation of the selectorswitch 60. The print arm 74 has a downwardly extending bent-underportion which forms a cam follower 748 which cooperates with thetriangular cam 46C periodically to raise the print arm 74 against thebias of an upper leg of a forked spring 76 moving the idler sprocket andthe end of the type belt 45 associated therewith away from the chart 37.When the cam follower 74B drops off of the engaged lobe of cam 46C theforce of gravity together with the stored energy in the upper leg of theforked spring 76 drives the outer end of the print arm downwardlytoproduce a printing engagement of the then aligned type of the typebelt with the chart 37. In so doing the lower leg of forked spring 76 isstressed in a manner to return the print arm 74 to its neutral positionwhich is established by a stop member 77 which is straddled by the legsof the forked spring.

Since the multipoint selector switch 60 and the type belt 45 are movedin synchronism by the common drive means 50 through the various geartrains it will be seen that the mark producing means serially disposedalong the continuous surface of the type belt may each be associatedwith a corresponding function to be recdrded. This is accomplished inthe modification illustrated by selecting the gearing so that the switch60 traverses a set of contacts, one for each of the functions to berecorded, as each of a corresponding group of marked producing means ispositioned for printing on the chart. In the modification illustratedusing a type belt as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B the recorder is for sixfunctions and the multi-point selector switch 60 is constructed andarranged to connect the six functions one after the'other to the inputof the recorder. The type belt 45 will have 24 mark producing meanswhich by means of the gearing are associated in groups of six with sixswitch points of the multipoint selector switch.

FIGS. 4A,4B illustrate on a much enlarged scale the features ofconstruction of a type belt in accordance with applicants inventionwhich is suitable for use with a six function recorder, as may been seenin FIG. 4A, the type belt 45 includes sprocket holes 45A symmetricallyspaced along the length thereof. In the modification illustrated therewill be twenty-four of these sprocket holes. On the left hand side ofthe belt as viewed in FIG. 4A there are disposed a number of markedproducing means 458 which as best seen in FIG. 4B are serially disposedalong the continuous outer surface of the type belt. These markproducing means are in the form of cone shaped type elements which wheninked and brought against the chart produce a mark in the form of a dot.By inspection it may be seen that there are 24such mark producing means.Associated with the first mark producing means to the right of the topcenter of the type belt 45 of FIG. 4B is a type element 45C which willprint the Arabic manner 1 beside the dot when this combination of typeelements is brought into engagement with a chart. Beginning with thismark producing means and counting clockwise it may be seen, that thereare six mark producing means in this quadrant of the circle. In thisgroup there is one mark producing means for each of the six functions tobe recorded. Upon further inspection of FIG. 48, it may be determinedthat there is a group pf six mark producing means in each of the otherquadrants which like the first group have mark producing means for eachof the six functions to be recorded.

As is made clear in the Gibby patent mentioned above, some early priorart types of plural-function recorders printed a dot and number everytime. The resulting mass of numbers and dots in the curves recorded bysuch a recorder produced records which were not particularly pleasing inappearance and resulted in curves difficult to distinguish one from theother and analyze when two or morecurves were close together forextended periods of time and likewise made it difficult to interpret thecurves where they crossed. The subsequently developed printing format ofa dot with an occasional number resulted in the production of chartrecords much more pleasing to the eye and much easier to interpret. Aspointed out above and also in theGibby patent, the first mechanismswhich were worked out to produce the dot and occasional number type ofrecord had certain disadvantages because of their size and complexityandwith the passage of time simplerand .smaller mechanisms were developedto produce this desirable record format'Prior to the applicantsinvention, however, such mechanisms have still been too complex andrequired too much space for use in the smaller recorders such as a stripchart recorder employing a chart of the order of four inches wide orless. Applicant, however, has found that a much simplified version ofthe Gibby structure employing a single belt can be utilized to producethe desirable record format of dots withoccasional identifying numbersutilizing properly located function identifying characters inassociation with selected ones of a number of mark producing meansserially disposed along a continuous surface.

Referring again to FIG. 43, it will be seen that the Arabic numeral 1 ofthe type element 45C is a function identifying character for itsassociated mark producing means 45B. When utilizing the Arabic numbers 1to 6 as a set of function identifying characters, the immediatelysucceeding character of the set following Arabic number I will be Arabicnumber 2. By including an Arabic number 2 as a function identifyingcharacter for the type element 45D, which includes the second mark Iposite corresponding mark producing means in sucproducing means ofthesecond group of six mark producing means, the identifying characters 1and 2 are spaced apart so that a number of unidentified mark producingmeans are disposed between these two function identified mark producingmeans and it may be ceeding groups. In the illustrated embodiment thegroups of mark producing means in the first and second quadrants of thecircle of types on the type belt 45, as shown in FIG. 4B, are succeedinggroups with respect to the group in the fourth quadrant of the circle inthe clockwise direction.

With placement of the identifying characters 1-6 as shown in FIG. 48, itmay further be observed that in a clockwise direction around type belt45 following the type element 45C bearing the function identifyingcharacter 1 in group 1 are corresponding unidentified mark producingmeans 45C, 45C", and 45C" in the second, third and fourth quadrants ofthe circle. Each of these unidentified mark producing meanscorresponding to function number 1 will print a dot between printouts ofthe mark producingmeans identified by the number 1. In like manner eachfunction identified mark producing meansalong the continuous surface ofth'etype belt. 45 is followed along the. surface by a plurality ofcorresponding unidentified mark producing means of the other groups. Inthe embodiment of the invention illustrated for a six-function recorderthere.

will always be three unidentified marks printed on the chartbetweenidentified marks.

InFIGS. 5A and 58 there is illustrated a type belt suitable for a fourfunction recorder. In these figures reference numerals corresponding tothose used in connection with FIGS. 4A and 48 have been increased by100. The type belt of FIGS. 5A and 58 has twentyfour sprocket holes 145Aand twenty-four mark producing means 14513. The function identifyingcharacter Arabic number 1 on the type block 145C identifies itsaccompanying mark producing means 145B. Progressing clockwise about thetype circle there are four quadrants with the Arabic numbers 1 to 4comprising the set of function identifying characters. There are sixgroups-of four mark producing means, thus there is a mark producingmeans in each group for each of the corresponding-functions l to 4 andeach immediately succeeding character of the set of function identifyingcharacters is disposed adjacent a selected corresponding one of the markproducing means in a succeeding one of the groups. That is to say, anArabic numeral l identifies the number 1 mark producingmeans of thefirst group, an Arabic number 2, which is the character immediatelysucceeding the l, is disposed adjacent a mark producing meanscorresponding to the second function in the second group of markproducing means which is a group which succeeds the first group. In likemanner the Arabic numerals 3 and 4 are so placed thus providing spacedapart function identified mark producing means along the type belt withunidentified mark producing means disposed between each functionidentified mark producing means and additionally each functionidentified mark producing means is followed along the belt bycorresponding unidentified mark producing means of the other groups.More specifically it will be noted that the identified mark producingmeans 145C is followed by corresponding unidentified mark producingmeans 145C',145C",145C",l45C"", 145C"". Each of the other mark producingmeans accompanied by function identifying characters will be found to besimilarly followed by corresponding unidentified mark producing means inthe other groups of mark producing means.

In FIG. 6 there is shown on 'an enlarged scale a reasonable facsimile ofa section of chart 37 having recorded thereon curves for six differentfunctions utilizing a printing element of applicants invention. Aninspection of the record will show that between each pair of functionidentified dots there are three unidentified dots along the curve sothat the function identifying characters are separated linearly of thechart in a manner to minimize the occurrence of superimposed functionidentifying characters.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of arrangements of dot and numberprinting means with the circumference of a In FIG. 7 there areillustrated diagrammatically'the surface layouts of printing elements inaccordance with applicantss invention wherein the'circumference of aprint wheel or belt is considered as a flat strip the ends ofwhich willbe joined. Arrangements are shown in FIG. 7 for two, three, four, five,and six function recorders respectively.

For a two function recorder it may be noted that if 24 uniformly spaceddot printing means, directed by the 12 groups labeled 1 2, l-2, 1 2etc., are utilized in a first row about a print wheel or belt there maybe utilized printing means for the Arabic number 1 and 2 to form asingle series of Arabic numbers in a second row parallel to the firstrow. The 1 is located beside the dot printing means for function one,i.e. the first of the two functions to be recorded, in'the first groupof the 12 groups and the 2, i.e. the second of the Arabic numbers in theseries, is located beside the dot printing means for the second of thefunctions to be recorded in a group which follows the first grpup, i.e.the second dot in the seventh group. If there be more than twofunctions, for example three to six, every subsequent Arabic numberinthe series is placed beside its corresponding subsequent dot printingmeans in a group following that having the immediately preceding Arabicnumber. That is to say for a three function recorder the Arabic numberprinting means for 2 is beside the dot printing means for the secondfunction in the third group of dots and the Arabic number printing meansfor 3 is beside the dot printing means forthe third function in thefifth group which is a group following the third group having 1 theimmediately preceding Arabic number 2.

For a six function recorder having only 24 dot printing means it may benoted from FIG. 7 that it is necessary to use the first and secondgroups of dot printing means over again so that theArabic numberprinting means for the may be located beside its correspondingsubsequent dot printing means in a group which follows that having theArabic number printing means for 4 and the same is true for the 6. vFrom the foregoing it is believed evident to those skilled in the artthat records formed of dots or marks accompanied by an occasional recordidentifying number or character may be produced in accordance withapplicants invention using a single control cam drive in combinationwith a printing element which carried both mark printing means andfunction or record identifying character printing means in avoidance ofthe need for additional cams and other structure to effect in and outmovement of dot printing types, tipping of a print wheel, advancing orretarding a print wheel, changing the length of the printing stroke, orusing two print wheels or belts one for dots and one for numbers.

While for illustrative purposes rubber type belts have been described itis clearly to be understood that the printing element may be of anysuitable material and/or configuration. Type wheels comprised of anysuitable material can be utilized in the practice of my invention. It islikewise to be understood that while for illustrative purposes 24 markproducing means have been described specifically with four and sixfunction recorders neither the kind or number of mark producing means,the kind of record identifying characters, nor the number of functionsto be recorded is intended as a limiting factor since any of manycombinations of a number of mark producing means may be used to effectprintout of different numbersof functions in accordance with applicantsinvention. The terms fmark, dot, chara'cte'r", and Arabic number areused interchangeably in a generic sense throughout the specification andthe claims since it is believed that the dot and number terminologyenables one more easily to understand the gist of applicants invention.

What is claimed is: I

L'A printing mechanism for a plural-function rccorder of the type havinga chart, a print carriage supporting a printing element such as typewheel or belt, means to move the print carriage relative to the chart inaccordance with the value of a measured quantity as each of a pluralityof condition responsive devices is connected to a measuring circuit ofthe recorder by multi-point switch means operated in synchronism withsaid printing element by a common drive means therefore, and means toeffect periodic printing engagement of said printing element with saidchart to record a plurality of curves, one for each function to berecorded, the improvement comprising:

said printing element having a number of uniformly spaced mark producingmeans serially disposed in a first row about said element, said numberbeing equal at least to the number of functions to be recorded times anintegral number greater than two thus to provide a plurality of groupsof mark producing means equal in number to the integral number and witheach group containing at least one of said mark producing means for eachof said functions, and said printing element additionally having aseries of function identifying character printing means,'the

ber of functions to be recorded, disposed in a second row about saidprinting element parallel to said first row, the first of said series offunction identifying character printing means being located beside themark producing means for the first of said functions in a first of saidgroups, the second of said function identifying character printing meansof said series being located beside the mark producing means for thesecond of said functions in a group which follows said first group andeach immediately succeeding function identifying character printingmeans of said series being located beside number of which insaid seriesis equal to said num-- its corresponding one of said mark producingmeans in a group following that having the immediately precedingfunction identifying character printing means for production of recordson a chart consisting of a plurality of unidentified marks betweenidentified marks with the function identifying characters displacedlinearly of the chart to minimize the occurrence of superimposedfunction identifying characters.

2. A printing element, such as a type wheel or type belt, for a pluralfunction recorder, said element having:

a number of dot printing means spaced uniformly and serially in a firstrow about said element, said number being equal to at least the numberof functions to be recorded times'an integral number greater than two toprovide groups of dot printing means arranged for printing a dot on arecorder chart for each of said functions one after the other and asmany dots for each function per revolution of said printing element asthere are groups of dot printing means, and

record identifying Arabic number printing means consisting of a singleseries of Arabic number having a different number for each functiondisposed in a second row about said printing element paralhim said firstrow, the first Arabic number of said series being located beside the dotprinting means for the first of said functions in a first group of saidgroups of dot printing means, the second of said Arabic numbers beinglocated beside the dot printing means for the second of said functionsin a group which follows said first group, and every subsequent Arabicnumber in said series being located beside its corresponding subsequentdot printing means in a group following that having the immediatelypreceding Arabic number, by repeated usage of one or.more groups ifnecessary, hence when there are fewer Arabic number printing means thanthere are groups there will be no Arabic number printing means in one ormore groups and when there are more Arabic number printing means thanthere are groups one or more groups will have more than one Arabicnumber printing means located therein but never will there be numberprinting means beside every dot printing means, the position of saidrecord identifying Arabic number printing means in said second roweffecting a reduction in the printing of said Arabic numbers one on topof another.

3. A printing element in accordance with claim 2 wherein said number ofdot printing means is 24, said number of functions to be recorded isfour, said integral number is six, the number of said groups is six, andsaid single series of Arabic numbers consists of the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4,each beside a corresponding dot printing means of the first to thefourth respectively of said groups and with no Arabic number printingmeans in the fifth and sixth of said groups.

4. A printing element in accordance with claim 2 wherein said number ofdot printing means is 24, said number of functions to be recorded issix, said integral number is four, the number of said groups is four,and said single series of Arabic numbers consists of the numbers 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6 with the l and 5 beside corresponding dot printing means ofsaid first group, the 2 and 6 beside corresponding dot printing means inthe second of said groups and with the 3 and 4 beside corresponding dotprinting means in the third and fourth of said groups respectively.

5. A printing mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said common dirvemeans includes motor means driving a gear train having a driveconnection to said multi-point switch means and a drive connection tosaid printing element thereby to operate and switch means in synchronismwith said printing element as said mark producing means and functionidentifying character printing means are moved one after the other intoprinting position for printing on said chart, and

means consisting of a single cam driven by said common drive means forcontrolling said periodic printing engagement of said printingelement'with said chart for production of said plurality of curves, onefor each function, having a series of marks and an occasional recordidentifying character with identifying characters spaced along saidchart to minimize the occurrence of superimposed function identifyingcharacters qg gr UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPage No. 3,769,626 Dated October 3 97 R. W; McClenahan Inventofls) It iscertified that error appears in 'the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Specification:

001. 6, line 2, "and" should read --to effect-- Col. 9, delete lines 20,21, and 22;

line 31, "directed" should read -indicated-- 001. 12, line 31, "and"should read --said- In the Drawings:

Figure 3, LOC" should read L6C-- Signed and sealed this l6th day of July1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents 3 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPatent No. 3,7 9, Dated October 1973 Inventor) R. W. McClenahan It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

[- In the Specification: 2 v 1 Col. 6, line 2, "and should read --toeffect-- 001. 9, delete lines 20, 21, and 22;

line 31, "directed" should read --indicated-- Col. 12, line 31, "and"should read --said-- In the Drawings:

Figure 3, "L OC" should read L6C-- Signed and sealed this lthday of July1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR'. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer v Commissionerof Patents

1. A printing mechanism for a plural-function recorder of the typehaving a chart, a print carriage supporting a printing element such astype wheel or belt, means to move the print carriage relative to thechart in accordance with the value of a measured quantity as each of aplurality of condition responsive devices is connected to a measuringcircuit of the recorder by multi-point switch means operated insynchronism with said printing element by a common drive meanstherefore, and means to effect periodic printing engagement of saidprinting element with said chart to record a plurality of curves, onefor each function to be recorded, the improvement comprising: saidprinting element having a number of uniformly spaced mark producingmeans serially disposed in a first row about said element, said numberbeing equal at least to the number of functions to be recorded times anintegral number greater than two thus to provide a plurality of groupsof mark producing means equal in number to the integral number and witheach group containing at least one of said mark producing means for eachof said functions, and said printing element additionally having aseries of function identifying Character printing means, the number ofwhich in said series is equal to said number of functions to berecorded, disposed in a second row about said printing element parallelto said first row, the first of said series of function identifyingcharacter printing means being located beside the mark producing meansfor the first of said functions in a first of said groups, the second ofsaid function identifying character printing means of said series beinglocated beside the mark producing means for the second of said functionsin a group which follows said first group and each immediatelysucceeding function identifying character printing means of said seriesbeing located beside its corresponding one of said mark producing meansin a group following that having the immediately preceding functionidentifying character printing means for production of records on achart consisting of a plurality of unidentified marks between identifiedmarks with the function identifying characters displaced linearly of thechart to minimize the occurrence of superimposed function identifyingcharacters.
 2. A printing element, such as a type wheel or type belt,for a plural function recorder, said element having: a number of dotprinting means spaced uniformly and serially in a first row about saidelement, said number being equal to at least the number of functions tobe recorded times an integral number greater than two to provide groupsof dot printing means arranged for printing a dot on a recorder chartfor each of said functions one after the other and as many dots for eachfunction per revolution of said printing element as there are groups ofdot printing means, and record identifying Arabic number printing meansconsisting of a single series of Arabic number having a different numberfor each function disposed in a second row about said printing elementparallel to said first row, the first Arabic number of said series beinglocated beside the dot printing means for the first of said functions ina first group of said groups of dot printing means, the second of saidArabic numbers being located beside the dot printing means for thesecond of said functions in a group which follows said first group, andevery subsequent Arabic number in said series being located beside itscorresponding subsequent dot printing means in a group following thathaving the immediately preceding Arabic number, by repeated usage of oneor more groups if necessary, hence when there are fewer Arabic numberprinting means than there are groups there will be no Arabic numberprinting means in one or more groups and when there are more Arabicnumber printing means than there are groups one or more groups will havemore than one Arabic number printing means located therein but neverwill there be number printing means beside every dot printing means, theposition of said record identifying Arabic number printing means in saidsecond row effecting a reduction in the printing of said Arabic numbersone on top of another.
 3. A printing element in accordance with claim 2wherein said number of dot printing means is 24, said number offunctions to be recorded is four, said integral number is six, thenumber of said groups is six, and said single series of Arabic numbersconsists of the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, each beside a corresponding dotprinting means of the first to the fourth respectively of said groupsand with no Arabic number printing means in the fifth and sixth of saidgroups.
 4. A printing element in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidnumber of dot printing means is 24, said number of functions to berecorded is six, said integral number is four, the number of said groupsis four, and said single series of Arabic numbers consists of thenumbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 with the 1 and 5 beside corresponding dotprinting means of said first group, the 2 and 6 beside corresponding dotprinting means in the second of said gRoups and with the 3 and 4 besidecorresponding dot printing means in the third and fourth of said groupsrespectively.
 5. A printing mechanism according to claim 1 wherein saidcommon drive means includes motor means driving a gear train having adrive connection to said multi-point switch means and a drive connectionto said printing element thereby to operate and switch means insynchronism with said printing element as said mark producing means andfunction identifying character printing means are moved one after theother into printing position for printing on said chart, and meansconsisting of a single cam driven by said common drive means forcontrolling said periodic printing engagement of said printing elementwith said chart for production of said plurality of curves, one for eachfunction, having a series of marks and an occasional record identifyingcharacter with identifying characters spaced along said chart tominimize the occurrence of superimposed function identifying characters.